A guide to prescribing systemic treatments for psoriasis during pregnancy, breastfeeding and in those trying to conceive: what does the current evidence suggest?

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin condition with an estimated prevalence of 1.5% in the UK. Its management has evolved rapidly over the past 15 years as our understanding of its pathogenesis has progressed. Treatment initiation often overlaps with peak reproductive years, posing specific therapeutic challenges for individuals hoping to conceive. Certain systemic agents are well established to be teratogenic during pregnancy, such as methotrexate and acitretin, but data on newer drug classes for psoriasis remain limited. This literature review evaluated recent data on the systemic agents for psoriasis, explicitly considering the context of male and female fertility, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Our goal was to equip clinicians with an accessible, concise summary of up-to-date evidence to help them educate patients and facilitate informed, shared decision-making aligned with their reproductive health.

Is this still just sarcoidosis, or should we a-DRESS a different diagnosis?

An Afro-Caribbean woman presented with worsening breathlessness, weight loss, lethargy and fevers, developing a bilateral florid erythematous rash on her legs. She was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy was found on thoracic CT imaging. She was tachycardic and investigations revealed pancytopenia, eosinophilia, raised serum ACE, acute kidney injury and deranged liver function tests. Biopsy of the lymphadenopathy revealed mixed lymphoid cells and liver biopsy revealed extramedullary haematopoiesis, with hypercellular marrow found on bone marrow biopsy. Cardiac MRI was normal, excluding cardiac sarcoid. The patient developed status epilepticus and phenytoin was started. She subsequently developed skin desquamation, in keeping with toxic epidermal necrosis. Skin biopsies revealed atypical granulomas and multinucleated giant cells, which subsequently resolved on steroid treatment. This case highlights an overlap syndrome, with an unclear diagnosis between sarcoidosis, drug reaction or rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms and/or hypereosinophilic syndrome and Still's disease. Hence varied serological and clinical features can complicate the distinction between diagnoses.

Tackling cardiovascular co-morbidities in HIV-positive patients: who, how and where?

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant cause of non-AIDS-related morbidity and mortality in HIV-positive individuals [1]. Management of CVD and associated risk factors in HIV are complicated by drug interactions [2]. Optimal management can require specialist input. A previous cohort review highlighted CVD, comorbidity and cardiovascular (CV) risk in our patients [3]. In response, a combined HIV and cardiovascular monthly clinic was established: an HIV consultant works in real time with a cardiologist. The clinic manages CV disease, complex CV co-morbidities e.g. refractory hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, and assesses primary prevention. A dietician works alongside the clinic. AIMS: Describe the clinic caseload; record clinic interventions and outcomes; recommend service development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective notes review of patients attending the co-morbidity clinic from January 2012 to May 2014. DATA COLLECTED: demographic, HIV, CVD, CV risk, investigations and clinical interventions. RESULTS: From a cohort of approximately 960 patients (70% African), 60 (6%) were seen in the co-morbidity clinic over the specified time period. Median age was 53 (range 24-80). Although 60% of our cohort is female, 43% (26/60) of the CVD clinic were female. 42 (70%) were African. The mean CD4 was 560 (range 48-1339). All patients were on ART and 6 (10%) had a detectable viral load > 400 copies/mL. Clinic caseload: i) CVD: 9 had a prior CV event (ACS or CVA); 5 had CCF; new diagnoses included LVH (2), cardiac dysfunction (6); AF (2); atrial thrombus (1). ii) Co-morbidities: 48(80%) had hypertension - 10 (16.6%) were on quadruple therapy; 17 (28%) had diabetes; 35 (58%) were on a statin. Three had their smoking status clearly documented. Seventeen (28%) were referred to the dietician. Investigations included echo, 24-hour BP/ tape, CT angio, cardiac MR. CONCLUSIONS: The joint clinic facilitated real-time decision making on clinical interventions. Patient access to cardiac investigations was expedited. Patients attended fewer outpatient appointments. Both cardiology and HIV clinicians preferred the benefits of joint working. Clinical outcomes were difficult to assess and will need further definition. Recommendations for development include: improved CV risk assessment, improved outcome measures, links to smoking cessation services.